Recent years have shown that all manner of disasters have become increasingly damaging, dangerous and complex. Recent examples include the 2004 South Asian tsunami, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Nargis cyclone 2008, Sichuan earthquake of 2008, Pakistan floods in 2010 and the recent Japan earthquake and tsunami in 2011. A total of 950 natural disasters were recorded last year, making 2010 the second worst year since 1980. The average number of events over the past 10 years was 785. This volume reflects and informs on space-based technologies for hazards and disaster research. Covers a wide range of aspects to take into account, and demonstrates the great potential of space-based technologies in supplying information in near real-time and in the application of data in detection and early warning. A wealth of case studies on various natural disasters in a countries around world, further illustrates the content. For researchers, practitioners, policy makers and advanced students in disaster or disaster-related disciplines, such as Geoinformation, Earth Sciences, Water and Environmental Sciences, Space Sciences, Disaster Management and Prevention.